Read Authentic Islamic Books absolutely free!

FIR’OUN, HADHRAT MUSA AND THE TAQDEER OF ALLAH Part 6

On the instruction of Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam), his daughter went to call Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam). When she reached the place where the well was, she found him sitting under the same tree where he had earlier rested. Describing the scene, the Qur’aan says: “Then one of the two daughters (of Shuayb- alayhis salaam) came walking bashfully. She said: ‘My father calls you so that he may remunerate you for having watered our goats.”

Adopting an interesting mode of accompanying her, Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) being a man of lofty moral attributes and spiritual excellence, his profound sense of modesty and shame constrained him to instruct her to walk at a distance behind him to avoid his gaze falling on her. Obviously he was not aware of Hadhrat Shuayb’s residence. To solve this problem, he said to the girl to take a handful of pebbles. When direction should be changed, she should throw a pebble indicating the direction to follow, right or left. Since the voice of the female too is Satr (to be concealed), Nabi Musaa (alayhis salaam) exercised every precaution to avoid unnecessary hearing of the voice of Nabi Shuayb’s daughter.

When they reached Hadhrat Shuayb’s home, Musaa (alayhis salaam) was warmly welcomed. After he narrated his entire story, Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) said to himself: “This person is most certainly from the Family of Ambiya.” Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) comforting Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) told him to relax and not to fear. Fir’oun’s jurisdiction did not extend to this land. He therefore need have no fear of being pursued by the men of Fir’oun.

After Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) had meals, Hadhrat Shuayb’s daughter requested her father to employ this stranger to tend to the goats. She said that he was a man of considerable strength and honesty. Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) asked her to explain the basis of her conclusion regarding the stranger. She said that Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) alone lifted the huge slab covering the well. It was a stone which ten men would lift. Then he swiftly drew water from the well with a huge bucket which would be hauled up by five men. From this she understood his phenomenal physical strength.

The mode he had adopted when accompanying her testifies to his honesty, uprighteousness and integrity. Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) was elated at this explanation of his daughter. Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) told Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) that it was his intention to marry one of his daughters to him. The condition however was that Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) had to be the shepherd to tend to the goats for eight years, and if he voluntarily agrees to ten years, it will be appreciated. When Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam) accepted the terms, Nabi Shuayb (alayhis salaam) performed the Nikah the same day.

Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) presented an Asaa (staff) to Hadhrat Musaa (alayhis salaam). There was much significance in this presentation. He had in his possession the staffs of seventy Ambiya (alayhimus salaam) of bygone times. One of these staffs was the Staff which Hadhrat Aadam (alayhis salaam) had brought with him from Jannat. It was a wonderful Staff which had passed from Nabi to Nabi until it was inherited by Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam).

At the time when he had received this Staff, he was instructed to present it to Musa, Kaleemullaah, i.e. Hadhrat Nabi Musa (alayhis salaam). It was an amaanat (trust) which had to be entrusted to Hadhrat Musa (alayhis salaam). Without Hadhrat Musa (alayhis salaam) being aware or understanding the significance of the Asaa (he had not yet been appointed the Nabi), and without Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) having been informed that this stranger was that Musa Kaleemullah, he instructed him to go into a small room where the seventy Staffs were stored and to bring one. Hadhrat Musa (alayhis salaam) entered the room, took a Staff and presented it to Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam).

Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) being blind, carefully ran his hand up and down the length of the Staff. He then said: “O Son? Return the Staff to its place and bring another one.” Hadhrat Musa (alayhis salaam) went into the room, replaced the Staff. When he attempted to take another staff, the first Staff miraculously leapt up and landed in his hand. He returned to Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) with the Staff. After closely examining the Staff, he said: “This Staff is of no use for you. O Musa! Return it to its place, and bring another one.” He returned to the room, replaced the Staff. As he attempted to take another staff, the same Staff miraculously landed in his hand.

Describing on this episode, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that this scene was enacted seven times. After the seventh time, again the Staff landed in Hadhrat Musa’s hand. Finally he said to Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam): “Each time I place this Staff apart from the pile of staffs. When I attempt to take another staff, this Staff forcefully leaps into my hand.

Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) was bewildered and thought: “What is the mystery? I have to keep this Staff for Kaleemullah. While he was reflecting in bewilderment, Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) appeared. The Staff which was by Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) miraculously penetrated four inches into the ground. Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) said: “Allah Ta’ala has decreed that the Staff belongs to the one who pulls it out from the ground.”

Despite Hadhrat Shuayb’s repeated efforts, he was unable to extract the Staff from the ground. After he was exhausted, he said to Hadhrat Musa: “O Son! If you are able to pull the Staff from the ground, it will belong to you.” Hadhrat Musa (alayhis salaam) retrieved the Staff effortlessly. In fact, the Staff of its own accord landed in Hadhrat Musa’s hand. Hadhrat Shuayb (alayhis salaam) was now convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that this stranger would be appointed the Nabi, Musa Kaleemullah. With extreme delight and happiness, he exclaimed: “O Kaleemullaah! Congratulations! Blessed is this Staff for you. This is no ordinary Staff. It is something wonderful. This Staff will come to your aid in all situations.”